Footfall across UK retail destinations is set rise by 4.8% year-on-year over the upcoming bank holiday weekend according to retail intelligence specialist Springboard.

GENERAL MERCHANDISE

Footfall set to rise by 4.8% over bank holiday weekend

21 May 2015 | by The Retail Bulletin

Footfall across UK retail destinations is set rise by 4.8% year-on-year over the upcoming bank holiday weekend according to retail intelligence specialist Springboard.

The weekend marks the start of Whitsun half term and with weather forecast to be mild and mostly dry, Springboard is predicting that UK high streets will see an uplift in footfall of 5.2% over Saturday, Sunday and Monday despite suffering a weak year to date.

Retail parks are forecast to continue their ongoing growth, with footfall expected to increase by 6.9% over the three day period.

Meanwhile, the good weather is expected to impact the potential for shopping centres over the weekend as shoppers favour outdoor venues, although Springboard is still predicting a slight uplift of 2% for the three days.

Diane Wehrle, insights director at Springboard, said: “Footfall has suffered in recent months across high streets and shopping centres with April figures down -0.8% year-on-year, so the bank holiday weekend and Whitsun half term is set to be a welcome lift for UK retail destinations. Consumer confidence is high after the election, but as the weekend falls just before payday it is expected the attractions and events across the UK’s coastal towns will be the big winners rather than destinations with a pure retail offer.”

Saturday and Sunday are expected to be the busiest days, with forecasts predicting footfall to be up by 4.5% on Saturday and peak growth to be on Sunday at 6.9%. With a 40% chance of rain on Monday, footfall is expected to drop slightly, seeing 3.2% growth.

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